Author Archives: fobif

Looking down into the distant past

Posted on 17 January, 2022 by fobif

Geology creeps into everyday life in the sneakiest ways. Take Castlemaine’s gutters and buildings; they exhibit a gallery of local rocks. At Stonemans Bookroom corner, deep gutters are paved with sandstone blocks and a dash of Harcourt granite along the … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology, News | 1 Comment

2022 walks program

Posted on 17 January, 2022 by fobif

The 2022 FOBIF walks program is now on the website. The first walk is on Sunday 20 March. All walks start at the Community House in Templeton Street at 9.30am apart from the July 17 Long Walk led by Jeremy … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Walks | Comments Off on 2022 walks program

2022 FOBIF memberships due

Posted on 10 January, 2022 by fobif

Our annual newsletter with this year’s walks program and the 2022 membership renewal form has been sent to Friends of the Box-Ironbark members. For those who don’t receive this in the mail or new members, there is a 2022 renewal/join … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on 2022 FOBIF memberships due

New Year fireworks 110,000 BC: Lalgambook!

Posted on 3 January, 2022 by fobif

Mt Franklin, or Lalgambook, is a volcanic scoria cone with a wonderfully preserved crater. Lalgambook was once thought to be 470,000 years old but a more accurate and surprising date was published in 2013; it turns out to be amongst … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology | Comments Off on New Year fireworks 110,000 BC: Lalgambook!

Another year for FOBIF

Posted on 20 December, 2021 by fobif

About 20 members and supporters of FOBIF came to the last Monday’s end of the year BBQ in Walmer. It was an enjoyable evening with great food and lots of laughter.  FOBIF members will receive a newsletter with the 2022 … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Another year for FOBIF

Liquid gold!

Posted on 13 December, 2021 by fobif

Quartz Hill is the site of some of the earliest reef mining in the Castlemaine area. Just 2km north of Chewton, it was one of a handful of huge quartz outcrops that demanded miners’ attention. The problem is not all … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology | Comments Off on Liquid gold!

Reminder: FOBIF breakup is next week

Posted on 6 December, 2021 by fobif

The annual FOBIF breakup is on at 6 pm on 13 December at Bronwyn Silver’s place, 1036 Muckleford-Walmer Road. All members and supporters are welcome. BYO *  food to share, including something for the BBQ if you like *  plates, … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Reminder: FOBIF breakup is next week

Guildford Plateau – an upside-down landscape

Posted on 22 November, 2021 by fobif

We don’t often see mesa-like hills in Victoria but the Guildford Plateau is a wonderful example. The story starts around 40 million years ago when the ancient Loddon River carved its way from the Glenlyon headwaters. This was a vigorous … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology | 1 Comment

FOBIF 2021 breakup

Posted on 15 November, 2021 by fobif

Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests is having a BBQ at Bronwyn Silver’s place in Walmer on Monday 13 December. It starts at 6 pm and the address is 1036 Muckleford-Walmer Road, Walmer. BYO *  food to share, including something for … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on FOBIF 2021 breakup

What? Rainforest valleys at Guildford?

Posted on 1 November, 2021 by fobif

Ordinary looking rocks can tell some amazing stories: that’s the magic of geology. We’ve asked geologist Clive Willman to write an occasional series of posts on what the stones of our region are telling us. This is his first: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology | 1 Comment